Cure too late for one more person

The personal Honored Teammate of one of the St. Anthony's participants died on December 11, only 8 weeks after being diagnosed with ALL.

Leukemia is a cancer of blood cells that originates in the bone marrow, the soft, spongy inner portion of certain bones. Leukemias are the most common form of childhood cancer. About one-third of all cancers in children under the age of 15 are leukemias, as are about one-fourth of all cancers in people under 20.

Leukemias: The major forms of leukemia are divided into four categories. Myelogenous and lymphocytic leukemia each have acute and chronic forms. The terms myelogenous or lymphocytic denote the cell type involved.

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Acute lymphocytic leukemia (also called acute lymphoblastic leukemia or ALL) is uncommon among adults, but it is the most common type of leukemia in children. About 85 percent of all childhood leukemias are classified as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Pediatric ALL is usually treated with chemotherapy drugs -- drugs that are toxic to the leukemia cells and stop them from growing. This is usually done in stages to treat hiding cells as well. Treatment approaches for adult leukemia may include chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation. Radiation therapy is sometimes used for leukemia in the central nervous system or elsewhere and for pain caused by bone destruction.

Acute Myelogenous Leukemia Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML, also sometimes called acute myeloid leukemia or acute nonlymphocytic leukemia) is the most common leukemia diagnosed in adults. Treatment approaches for adult leukemia may include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and stem cell transplantation. Radiation therapy is sometimes used for leukemia in the central nervous system or elsewhere and for pain caused by bone destruction. Pediatric AML is usually treated with chemotherapy drugs -- drugs that are toxic to the leukemia cells and stop them from growing. Chemotherapy is given in several stages.

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (also called chronic lymphoblastic leukemia or CLL) is one of the more common forms of leukemia in adults. Because the disease usually develops very slowly, some people can live many years without significant symptoms and before requiring treatment. Current treatment strategies are designed to slow the progression of disease and to alleviate symptoms.

Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Researchers have noticed an increasing proportion of younger patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in recent years. Treatment approaches for adult leukemia may include chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Radiation therapy is sometimes used for leukemia in the central nervous system.